The South African National Taxi Council’s new chairperson, Jabulani Mthembu, aims to transform the taxi industry into a national asset, he said on Thursday.
Launching the industry’s first women empowerment initiative, he said one of his first priorities is to entrench a value system into the industry, which places emphasis on unity.
”The industry cannot move forward and take its rightful place among the giants of our economy if it is fragmented,” said Mthembu. ”This is the only way we are going to normalise the modus operandi of this important sector that ferries millions of passengers throughout the country daily.”
Mthembu said he is seeking to establish partnerships with a range of stakeholders both inside and outside the industry.
”We have to accept that for many reasons the industry does not enjoy the image and respect it should be afforded.
”Once we have this partnership in place, we can then appeal to passengers, motorists and, in fact, the broad public to join us in this partnership.”
Mthembu encouraged women to play a major role in the running of the industry, as they do in the running of family business.
”We have to diversify and women must corporatise themselves and equip themselves with the skills to become owners and managers of taxis,” said Mthembu. ”We in the industry will support that initiative and seek to engage other partners to empower women within the taxi industry.” — Sapa